Scotty’s Shot: Men’s third division brings in highly anticipated 2024-25 Lower Great Southern Bowling League

Passionate Albany bowler Tim Scott is writing a fortnightly column for The Extra, keeping our readers up-to-date with the local bowls scene.

Welcome to the 2024-25 Lower Great Southern Bowling League season.

Player movements, new players and clubs assessing form before the selecting of those first pennant sides.

Men’s third division will kick off the pennant season this Saturday while men’s and ladies first and second divisions will start the following week.

Men’s and ladies pennants will begin on the same weekend this season, in a new initiative being trialled by the league.

LGSBL men’s president Mike Pooley wished all players, clubs and sponsors a successful season.

Emu Point will again be chasing the first division double with both men’s and ladies sides attempting to defend their successful seasons from last year.

As usual, during our off-season, bowlers from the region travelled to all parts of Australia with many competing at the Australian Open held on the Gold Coast in June, while the quartet of Kelvin Crosby and Andy McFarlane (both from Emu Point), Craig Hitchcock (Albany) and Ross Skinner (Mt Barker Golf) finished runners-up in the Darwin Open fours tournament in July.

Albany’s Wayne Jones, along with the Emu Point pair of Len and Shelley Mason, have represented WA in the 10th National Arm Sides Championship held in Maitland, NSW from September 9-13.

Wagin’s Warren Holt has again been selected in the WA men’s State team joining Geraldton’s Shane Giudice-Nairn being the only country bowlers in the squad.

Holt will be joined at Manning this season by Albany’s Jon Davidson with both likely to line-up in their premier league side.

Davidson’s move to the metro competition will not only be a blow to Albany Gold’s chances this season but also the league round-robin side will miss his ability.

Albany has held their annual 100-up men’s singles with new president Dave Kempin taking the final over Clive Bahr while in the ladies Necia Jones defeated Ingrid McHardy in their final.

Any people interested in having a go at the great game of bowls please contact one of the many clubs within the region as new members and players are most welcome and always appreciated.

Clubs with any news, results or rumours please contact Tim Scott at 0428 429 405 or timscottsports@gmail.com for inclusion.